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Ashlesha: Part I of Awaken the Stars
Rex Vis Tjin’s life has never been normal.
Not every kid spent their summer vacations learning tactics on paintball fields, or could strip down a .9mm and put it back together at military-acceptable speed, or had really good instincts for knowing things…including when to get out of the line of fire. By the time Rex realized the difference, he didn’t care. He’s third-eldest of eight kids and they’re all nuts, but they love each other. That’s the important part.
Four of them go into the military, thinking long-term careers. Then Rex’s brother dies in 2005 in Iraq. That’s the deal-breaker. Rex bows out after only eight years instead of twenty, and gets to spend the next decade figuring out what to do with the rest of his life. He attended a college he can’t remember graduating from. He didn’t care; it was just something to fill the empty spaces in his life.
Picking up available work through the Department of Defense fills those empty spaces nicely. Rex has a conscience and the ability to say “No thanks” if he doesn’t like a job. He gets to shoot things (or turn them into craters) and the pay is great. Awesome.
On his 36th birthday, Rex meets a redhead in a bar. He wasn’t planning on dating, but sometimes you just fit with someone, and he fits with Euan Ambrus very well.
His new favorite redhead is also sort-of the reason why 2016 pushes the envelope on what’s normal, but Rex figures that if you’re going to make an enemy out of an organization within the federal government, it might as well be the one that’s been up to sci-fi levels of weird since 1951.
Not every kid spent their summer vacations learning tactics on paintball fields, or could strip down a .9mm and put it back together at military-acceptable speed, or had really good instincts for knowing things…including when to get out of the line of fire. By the time Rex realized the difference, he didn’t care. He’s third-eldest of eight kids and they’re all nuts, but they love each other. That’s the important part.
Four of them go into the military, thinking long-term careers. Then Rex’s brother dies in 2005 in Iraq. That’s the deal-breaker. Rex bows out after only eight years instead of twenty, and gets to spend the next decade figuring out what to do with the rest of his life. He attended a college he can’t remember graduating from. He didn’t care; it was just something to fill the empty spaces in his life.
Picking up available work through the Department of Defense fills those empty spaces nicely. Rex has a conscience and the ability to say “No thanks” if he doesn’t like a job. He gets to shoot things (or turn them into craters) and the pay is great. Awesome.
On his 36th birthday, Rex meets a redhead in a bar. He wasn’t planning on dating, but sometimes you just fit with someone, and he fits with Euan Ambrus very well.
His new favorite redhead is also sort-of the reason why 2016 pushes the envelope on what’s normal, but Rex figures that if you’re going to make an enemy out of an organization within the federal government, it might as well be the one that’s been up to sci-fi levels of weird since 1951.
486 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 21, 2016
7 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 30, 2016
This story apparently began life as a fanfiction, and it shows - in the very best of ways. All those features that make the best fanfiction infinitely preferable to traditionally published works are here and joyfully present; the luxuriant savouring of the emotional aspects, the unabashed diversity of colours and sexualities, the delicious snark, and the complete disregard of the rising page count in favor of delivering a damn good story.
And for those who (for some inexplicable reason) frown on fanfiction, never fear: there's no trace of Ashlesha's nontraditional beginnings. The characters are entirely themselves, not copycats of anyone more well-known, and while the plot is vaguely familiar - in the sense that this is far from the first time we've seen sci-fi government conspiracy or supersoldiers - it, too, is wholly itself, and not a rip-off. Frankly, I'd be honoured to discover this book was reworked from a fanfic based on my story, because this is really and truly blindingly good, far surpassing the three-point plots Hollywood and most major publishers keep churning out. Ashlesha starts off warm and beautifully bittersweet, revels in the developing romance of its lead characters in the way that only fanfiction or self-published works can (since there's no concerns here about a two-hour or 300p-page cut off limit), and then rapidly spirals out into an action-packed rollercoaster too smart and competent to be called a blockbuster, slyly dropping hints and clues and packing more twists and turns than a labyrinth - while deftly avoiding the perils of becoming overcomplicated or losing the reader in the confusion.
This is a fierce, blazing doorstopper of a book (614 pages on my Kindle) that gives the finger to white-washed, simplistic trad-publishing, celebrating everything that is fabulous about fanfiction while smashing any accusations of unoriginality to smithereens. I am so beyond delighted that it exists, and I cannot WAIT for the sequel!
And for those who (for some inexplicable reason) frown on fanfiction, never fear: there's no trace of Ashlesha's nontraditional beginnings. The characters are entirely themselves, not copycats of anyone more well-known, and while the plot is vaguely familiar - in the sense that this is far from the first time we've seen sci-fi government conspiracy or supersoldiers - it, too, is wholly itself, and not a rip-off. Frankly, I'd be honoured to discover this book was reworked from a fanfic based on my story, because this is really and truly blindingly good, far surpassing the three-point plots Hollywood and most major publishers keep churning out. Ashlesha starts off warm and beautifully bittersweet, revels in the developing romance of its lead characters in the way that only fanfiction or self-published works can (since there's no concerns here about a two-hour or 300p-page cut off limit), and then rapidly spirals out into an action-packed rollercoaster too smart and competent to be called a blockbuster, slyly dropping hints and clues and packing more twists and turns than a labyrinth - while deftly avoiding the perils of becoming overcomplicated or losing the reader in the confusion.
This is a fierce, blazing doorstopper of a book (614 pages on my Kindle) that gives the finger to white-washed, simplistic trad-publishing, celebrating everything that is fabulous about fanfiction while smashing any accusations of unoriginality to smithereens. I am so beyond delighted that it exists, and I cannot WAIT for the sequel!
November 1, 2016
Ashlesha- a great read
Ashlesha was a joy to read. It grounded firmly in real feeling characters, it dances into science fiction territory without the reader needing to suspend too much belief. Though the characters sometimes have extra normal abilities, they (and the plot) rely far more on skills firmly in reality. The book shows a wide breadth of knowledge about a huge variety of topics and shares that knowledge with the reader as though you're learning them from the characters own experiences. I'd recommend Ashlesha to anyone who loves strong characters, a bit of 'magic' and love through adversity.
Ashlesha was a joy to read. It grounded firmly in real feeling characters, it dances into science fiction territory without the reader needing to suspend too much belief. Though the characters sometimes have extra normal abilities, they (and the plot) rely far more on skills firmly in reality. The book shows a wide breadth of knowledge about a huge variety of topics and shares that knowledge with the reader as though you're learning them from the characters own experiences. I'd recommend Ashlesha to anyone who loves strong characters, a bit of 'magic' and love through adversity.
November 26, 2016
This book is amazing! I started reading it one evening and only put it down because it was suddenly 3am and I had to be at work in a few hours!
This book is not just LGBTQIA friendly - it is LGBTQIA normal. No one bats an eye at anyone's sexuality. Moreover, I learned more about safe sex from this book than I ever learned in school.
The plot is engaging and fast-paced, and I love the main character's snark. It defies genres - it's a military mystery, science fiction thriller, LGBTQIA romance. Plus, Star Wars references!
I can't wait for the rest of the trilogy to be written!
This book is not just LGBTQIA friendly - it is LGBTQIA normal. No one bats an eye at anyone's sexuality. Moreover, I learned more about safe sex from this book than I ever learned in school.
The plot is engaging and fast-paced, and I love the main character's snark. It defies genres - it's a military mystery, science fiction thriller, LGBTQIA romance. Plus, Star Wars references!
I can't wait for the rest of the trilogy to be written!
July 13, 2017
Imagine, for a moment, that Jango Fett were a) still alive, b) actively engaged as a supportive parent, and c) was also really expletive angry about 'Nam. Now remember how adorable Ewan McGregor was in the Men Who Stare at Goats. Got it? Hold that in mind.
Ashlesha is an action-adventure novel with all of the genre's brilliance - tightly-paced plot, gorgeous locations, high stakes, Violence Happening To Bad People, a team of quippy/collaborative hyper-competent jackasses, and a veteran hero who really deserves a hug - and very few of its headaches. Rex meets an amazing guy, and - ominous music rising - accidentally drags himself and his family into capital-t Trouble. There are 0 damsels, 0 troubling racial stereotypes, and 0 assumptions that our protagonist needs to be a white heterosexual dude in order to be believable. There is a great love story - Ashlesha has excellent queer & POC representation, with a sort of defiant/wry awareness that characters like Rex don't usually get to lead their own stories. (It's also enormously freeing to have female characters in an action story without having to juggle their jobs, their personalities, and their kill count with also being our Action Hero's love interest.) Frequent laugh-or-cheer-out-loud moments, Highlander jokes, conspiracy theories, and people yelling about sharks are notable highlights.
Highly recommended!
Former-library-staff spoiler-warnings:
Ashlesha is an action-adventure novel with all of the genre's brilliance - tightly-paced plot, gorgeous locations, high stakes, Violence Happening To Bad People, a team of quippy/collaborative hyper-competent jackasses, and a veteran hero who really deserves a hug - and very few of its headaches. Rex meets an amazing guy, and - ominous music rising - accidentally drags himself and his family into capital-t Trouble. There are 0 damsels, 0 troubling racial stereotypes, and 0 assumptions that our protagonist needs to be a white heterosexual dude in order to be believable. There is a great love story - Ashlesha has excellent queer & POC representation, with a sort of defiant/wry awareness that characters like Rex don't usually get to lead their own stories. (It's also enormously freeing to have female characters in an action story without having to juggle their jobs, their personalities, and their kill count with also being our Action Hero's love interest.) Frequent laugh-or-cheer-out-loud moments, Highlander jokes, conspiracy theories, and people yelling about sharks are notable highlights.
Highly recommended!
Former-library-staff spoiler-warnings:
December 11, 2016
I've read Ashlesha twice in the past month, and each time I have noticed and been drawn to different facets of the story. Jer Keene is an amazing writer, who has created a world of such great depth and breadth in a phenomenally short space of time. The plot is intriguing, the language is readily intelligible without being simplistic, and the characters are entertaining and sympathetic; Keene obviously knows them and their stories very well.
There is so very much to love about Ashlesha: pop-culture references, representation of diverse perspectives, emphasis on familial relationships, snarky sense of humour. Some of my personal highlights include: the creepy Stephen King airport at the beginning, Bait the camel, Janice, the fishing scene, "Young Lady, I enjoy the vibrant colour of your hair," and my introduction to Disturbed's version of 'Sound of Silence', which everyone should listen to post-haste.
There is so very much to love about Ashlesha: pop-culture references, representation of diverse perspectives, emphasis on familial relationships, snarky sense of humour. Some of my personal highlights include: the creepy Stephen King airport at the beginning, Bait the camel, Janice, the fishing scene, "Young Lady, I enjoy the vibrant colour of your hair," and my introduction to Disturbed's version of 'Sound of Silence', which everyone should listen to post-haste.
January 17, 2017
Edit: having now read it twice... this book needs to be read at least twice, and if you're like me you'll re-read it while screaming "How did I miss that the first time around!?" at regular intervals. Really, really worth it.
This book is one of those that take you by the hand, grip you tight in a false sense of security and then hits the ground running with the plot, not even pretending to pull any punches. It's firmly anchored in the here and now, until you are made aware of all the little extras that have been flitting at the edge of the words and then it's a different kind of here and now, one that's vividly real and magical. The relationships between characters alone are fantastic, deep and complicated and real.
A great read that I never wanted to put down. Looking so very much forward to the next part.
This book is one of those that take you by the hand, grip you tight in a false sense of security and then hits the ground running with the plot, not even pretending to pull any punches. It's firmly anchored in the here and now, until you are made aware of all the little extras that have been flitting at the edge of the words and then it's a different kind of here and now, one that's vividly real and magical. The relationships between characters alone are fantastic, deep and complicated and real.
A great read that I never wanted to put down. Looking so very much forward to the next part.
November 26, 2016
I finished this book in one day. I think that should speak for itself in terms of the quality of the writing and the way it drew me in. I couldn't put it down and literally took it with me everywhere until I was done.
I want this to be spoiler free so I'm not going to talk about the plot but OMG! (Seriously!) The pacing was good, the characters engaging and lovable (I want to adopt nearly all of them). It's obvious how much love and care has gone into the creation of this story - its awesome to see someone care about representation and make the effort to be inclusive.
I want the next one and I want it yesterday. 10/10 would highly recommend this book.
I want this to be spoiler free so I'm not going to talk about the plot but OMG! (Seriously!) The pacing was good, the characters engaging and lovable (I want to adopt nearly all of them). It's obvious how much love and care has gone into the creation of this story - its awesome to see someone care about representation and make the effort to be inclusive.
I want the next one and I want it yesterday. 10/10 would highly recommend this book.
May 1, 2017
I really don't know WHAT genre I'd put it as. Scifi/Urban Fantasy? Maybe? Ish?
There's a repeated underlying theme or respect in all of the relationships that I rather enjoy. It also has the literary unicorn of sex scenes that don't skip on the lube and other safe sex practices, and while this isn't a bodice ripper, it has it's share of steamy bits.
It doesn't skimp on the character development in favor of "MOAR ACTION!" like it could easily do.
Overall, it's well done and well thought out, and I don't say that often.
There's a repeated underlying theme or respect in all of the relationships that I rather enjoy. It also has the literary unicorn of sex scenes that don't skip on the lube and other safe sex practices, and while this isn't a bodice ripper, it has it's share of steamy bits.
It doesn't skimp on the character development in favor of "MOAR ACTION!" like it could easily do.
Overall, it's well done and well thought out, and I don't say that often.
November 20, 2016
Oh my goodness. Words cannot explain how much I love this book. I have read it twice since I purchased it as an e-book, and I've already put in my pre-order for the hardcover. This book slowly pulls you in with a whisper of "Hey, do you want to hear a story? It's a good one." and before you know it, you're enthralled with the amazing cast of characters. This book will forever remain in a place of honor on my shelves as a truly innovative novel. I can't wait for the sequels!
July 11, 2020
This is the first part of a series that comes to life in your mind and after finishing it you feel they will be there when you look up. The characters are realistic and you fall in love with them all not just the main characters, because they all have a story to tell. I am really looking forward to the next part.
November 4, 2016
::incoherent babbling::
There are not words for how much I love this book. I'm glad I picked it up on the Kindle; saves me from reading a paperback to tatters. Plus, connection to Rex = bonus. There were so many times I laughed until I couldn't breathe; and at least as many times my heart was touched. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
There are not words for how much I love this book. I'm glad I picked it up on the Kindle; saves me from reading a paperback to tatters. Plus, connection to Rex = bonus. There were so many times I laughed until I couldn't breathe; and at least as many times my heart was touched. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
December 10, 2016
This book is bloody amazing!!! Rex and Euan's relationship is so real, all of the characters are beautifully fleshed out with amazing backstories, the sci-fi is subtle until it isn't and then it's completely amazing, the LGBTQ+ representation is awesome because its written as so normal. Definitely the best book I've read all year and totally worth springing for the hardback
December 10, 2016
I hold a deep and abiding love for this book.
Ashlesha is the type of book that hooks you at the beginning with fantastic characters and then drags you on a wild ride of government conspiracy, scifi thriller, a loving sarcastic family in a dire situation, and the jungles of southeast Asia.
If you are looking for an excellent book that is full of diversity I cannot recommend Ashlesha enough.
Ashlesha is the type of book that hooks you at the beginning with fantastic characters and then drags you on a wild ride of government conspiracy, scifi thriller, a loving sarcastic family in a dire situation, and the jungles of southeast Asia.
If you are looking for an excellent book that is full of diversity I cannot recommend Ashlesha enough.
May 23, 2017
One of the best books I've read, ever. And that's honestly saying a lot.
August 15, 2017
Havent finished it yet but i love it
May 10, 2018
[Second read review]
1.5 stars
Unfortunately, I didn't feel this held up well upon rereading. While the plot was interesting enough to hold my attention the first time I read this, it didn't give me much the second time around. The characters, as I stated before, were not well-developed enough for me to connect with in any meaningful way that would make up for plot thinness. I'm still interested in reading the second one, but there's less urgency to find out what happens next.
[First read review]
This was an enjoyable, mostly fast-paced read. I really liked the author's ability to create an interesting conspiracy plot (not something I'm usually interested in) and I thought the sci-fi aspects were deftly woven through the first part, keeping the reader on their toes until that reveal in the second section. The book features a m/m couple as its main characters, and includes a large, diverse cast of secondary characters, representing a fairly large range of ethnicities, genders, and sexualities, which is always appreciated. More (just as?) exciting to me, the author included a name glossary at the beginning with pronunciations for names that might be foreign to Western readers, but also names that are more familiar, such as Ella and Brian. You don't often see glossaries that include Western names/words, and I appreciated the author normalizing having those pronunciations explicitly laid out for ALL the characters.
My main issue with the book was that I had a hard time connecting to the characters. As I said, there is a large cast, and I did not feel that most of them were fleshed out enough for me to care about them. For example There were a few scenes that were moving, one where a character realizes they might have left their twin for dead in a battlezone, and one where a father talks to his son about the son's suicide attempt, but beyond those, my feelings about the characters can mostly be summed up as 'meh'. (This is usually a deal-breaker for me, but the author did such a good job with their plot and world-building that I still wanted to keep reading and learn more about those aspects!)
I did feel that the pacing was sometimes uneven - some chapters dragged on longer than they needed to, but the action scenes more than made up for that.
Overall, a fun action-y read, and I am looking forward to the second book, which seems like it will go more in-depth to the history of the department and the program.
1.5 stars
Unfortunately, I didn't feel this held up well upon rereading. While the plot was interesting enough to hold my attention the first time I read this, it didn't give me much the second time around. The characters, as I stated before, were not well-developed enough for me to connect with in any meaningful way that would make up for plot thinness. I'm still interested in reading the second one, but there's less urgency to find out what happens next.
[First read review]
This was an enjoyable, mostly fast-paced read. I really liked the author's ability to create an interesting conspiracy plot (not something I'm usually interested in) and I thought the sci-fi aspects were deftly woven through the first part, keeping the reader on their toes until that reveal in the second section. The book features a m/m couple as its main characters, and includes a large, diverse cast of secondary characters, representing a fairly large range of ethnicities, genders, and sexualities, which is always appreciated. More (just as?) exciting to me, the author included a name glossary at the beginning with pronunciations for names that might be foreign to Western readers, but also names that are more familiar, such as Ella and Brian. You don't often see glossaries that include Western names/words, and I appreciated the author normalizing having those pronunciations explicitly laid out for ALL the characters.
My main issue with the book was that I had a hard time connecting to the characters. As I said, there is a large cast, and I did not feel that most of them were fleshed out enough for me to care about them. For example There were a few scenes that were moving, one where a character realizes they might have left their twin for dead in a battlezone, and one where a father talks to his son about the son's suicide attempt, but beyond those, my feelings about the characters can mostly be summed up as 'meh'. (This is usually a deal-breaker for me, but the author did such a good job with their plot and world-building that I still wanted to keep reading and learn more about those aspects!)
I did feel that the pacing was sometimes uneven - some chapters dragged on longer than they needed to, but the action scenes more than made up for that.
Overall, a fun action-y read, and I am looking forward to the second book, which seems like it will go more in-depth to the history of the department and the program.
December 13, 2024
Love Love Love!
Despite being full of things I normally don't like to read about (ie government conspiracy and lots of military stuff) I trusted the author enough that I picked it up expecting a fun read. I got my fun read, and so much more. I got a wonderful read.
The plot was interesting enough that I'm going to be antsy till the next book come out, but what I really love are the characters. I'm invested in this family and assorted tagalongs who feel so very real even in the outrageous situations they end up in.
Keene's dialogue had me laughing, snorting, crying, or full out cackling ( which had my family looking at me sideways...more than normal anyway) at all the right moments.
Also, the pop culture references were fun w/o feeling like they were there just to be there. So many books feel like "wink wink nudge nudge" see what I did there & it get annoying, here it just felt like people talking about things they enjoy. Okay, there was a little bit of wink/nudging but it made me laugh so it's all good.
Just... Read this Book!!!
& I am aware this review is less review and more happy ramble. I might fix that at some point, but I really wanted something here to celebrate my first read of the new year being epic.
Despite being full of things I normally don't like to read about (ie government conspiracy and lots of military stuff) I trusted the author enough that I picked it up expecting a fun read. I got my fun read, and so much more. I got a wonderful read.
The plot was interesting enough that I'm going to be antsy till the next book come out, but what I really love are the characters. I'm invested in this family and assorted tagalongs who feel so very real even in the outrageous situations they end up in.
Keene's dialogue had me laughing, snorting, crying, or full out cackling ( which had my family looking at me sideways...more than normal anyway) at all the right moments.
Also, the pop culture references were fun w/o feeling like they were there just to be there. So many books feel like "wink wink nudge nudge" see what I did there & it get annoying, here it just felt like people talking about things they enjoy. Okay, there was a little bit of wink/nudging but it made me laugh so it's all good.
Just... Read this Book!!!
& I am aware this review is less review and more happy ramble. I might fix that at some point, but I really wanted something here to celebrate my first read of the new year being epic.
December 25, 2016
A highly enjoyable military/espionage romantic suspense thriller with sci-fi elements - with the added bonus of not being insulting to me as a woman or a feminist, unlike the van Lustbaders et al. I mowed through in my youth. The cast is large, but handled deftly, and the necessary exposition is woven naturally into the storytelling.
Recommended to anyone who likes hypercompetence and superpowers, doesn't mind (or actively likes reading about) violence and blowing things up, and enjoys romance where the protagonists actually like each other and can talk about their feelings (all too rare even in modern-day genre romance).
Recommended to anyone who likes hypercompetence and superpowers, doesn't mind (or actively likes reading about) violence and blowing things up, and enjoys romance where the protagonists actually like each other and can talk about their feelings (all too rare even in modern-day genre romance).
April 6, 2018
It's really difficult to write a review for Ashlesha, because this book is so good it strips you of all your words. The plot is clever, the pacing is great, the characters are awesome –all different in their humanity, flawed in all the best ways. The author really did her research, and that shows; the world she crafts is as familiar as our own. As the book itself says:
"Stories make people live. [...] After so many words, you feel like you've met him, lived with him, laughed with him."
That's true. The characters feel more like family than creations of words on paper. I wish I could tell more, but it'll never be enough. Read this book. You won't regret it.
"Stories make people live. [...] After so many words, you feel like you've met him, lived with him, laughed with him."
That's true. The characters feel more like family than creations of words on paper. I wish I could tell more, but it'll never be enough. Read this book. You won't regret it.
April 12, 2017
I am not going to even pretend to be coherent about this book. I'm pretty much one step away from key smashing in over excited glee. Have you read a book where you just want to clutch it to your chest and dance with excitement? That's the reaction I had when reading Ashlesha. I had the kindle edition and started to fret at the 80% mark because that meant it was almost finished and I wasn't ready to leave these characters behind just yet. Obviously I solved this by immediately re-reading the whole thing once I got to the end.
July 13, 2017
Loved it!
I picked this up at the library and thought it looked like an interesting summer read. Eight hours later I bought a copy on Amazon so that I would have my own copy to re-read at will. This is a fabulous read. You cannot help falling in love with the characters and this family is all characters. There are love stories, spy stories, war stories, science fiction, comedies, bad puns, references to movies good and bad, references to music sublime and ridiculous and a central theme of what patriotism looks like. I cannot wait for the next two.
I picked this up at the library and thought it looked like an interesting summer read. Eight hours later I bought a copy on Amazon so that I would have my own copy to re-read at will. This is a fabulous read. You cannot help falling in love with the characters and this family is all characters. There are love stories, spy stories, war stories, science fiction, comedies, bad puns, references to movies good and bad, references to music sublime and ridiculous and a central theme of what patriotism looks like. I cannot wait for the next two.
January 28, 2018
Note: the red cover is the PG-13 version. The white cover is for mature readers.
This book is beautiful. The characters are relatable, the plot is engaging, and the tone is a perfect combination of warmth, snark, and crazy. When I got to the end, my first thought was "When will part II be published?". I will be reading this over and over again.
I love that this is not a coming out story. This is the story of a family caught up in conspiracies. The fact that they are LGBTQIA POC is just part of who they are.
This book is beautiful. The characters are relatable, the plot is engaging, and the tone is a perfect combination of warmth, snark, and crazy. When I got to the end, my first thought was "When will part II be published?". I will be reading this over and over again.
I love that this is not a coming out story. This is the story of a family caught up in conspiracies. The fact that they are LGBTQIA POC is just part of who they are.
February 1, 2021
This book... Oh man. I can't thank the author enough for writing this story. The characters are real people, there are so many different personas and all of them distinctive and loveable. The diversity alone makes this a brilliant book, add the story itself and I couldn't put this book down until it was finished. The plot has twists like you wouldn't believe, engaging dialogue (people talk like that! Yessss!) and brilliant turns of phrases that left me cackling into my pillow. I had so much fun reading this! I can't wait for the sequel!
September 24, 2018
Gloriously fabulous, Jer Keene is the boss of sarcastic dialogue and highly enjoyable characters. The depths of her world building are deeper than the ocean, and far more mysterious. Worth reading over and over and over and over.
April 12, 2017
One of the best books I've ever read!
November 30, 2017
Fantastic book
Pretty flipping wonderful book. Has a great plot, humour, healthy relationships, bits of sci/fi and action. I really enjoyed it.
Pretty flipping wonderful book. Has a great plot, humour, healthy relationships, bits of sci/fi and action. I really enjoyed it.
June 8, 2019
This book is a package of ethnic diversity, romance, action, and thriller. Among them, I enjoy the romance the most, and the action part the least. Unfortunately, after part one (30%), the rest of the story quickly escalate to action, shooting, mystery-solving thriller.
There is nothing wrong with a romance novel mixed with some blood-pumping action. My beef is with the supporting characters and the dialogues. It feels like conversations are purposely written as a way to introduce character background, personality, quirks and preferences; however, they fall flat and characters are mere masks.
Did I mention there are a lot of supporting characters beside our two main heroes? There are so many. Being unable to emotionally connect with each one of them, reading two-third of the book becomes very difficult for me.
The action part of the story is one big road trip with everyone, I mean everyone in the heroes family. I skip a lot of paragraphs that do not involve two heroes, I do not care what supporting characters say or do or want. I want to follow where the plot leads, but it feels like the story drags and drags. I want to see the two heroes interact, but other characters always get in the way. They constantly irritate me.
There is nothing wrong with a romance novel mixed with some blood-pumping action. My beef is with the supporting characters and the dialogues. It feels like conversations are purposely written as a way to introduce character background, personality, quirks and preferences; however, they fall flat and characters are mere masks.
Did I mention there are a lot of supporting characters beside our two main heroes? There are so many. Being unable to emotionally connect with each one of them, reading two-third of the book becomes very difficult for me.
The action part of the story is one big road trip with everyone, I mean everyone in the heroes family. I skip a lot of paragraphs that do not involve two heroes, I do not care what supporting characters say or do or want. I want to follow where the plot leads, but it feels like the story drags and drags. I want to see the two heroes interact, but other characters always get in the way. They constantly irritate me.
April 18, 2019
This book pretty much has it all: good and relatable (and diverse!!) characters, a great storyline, character growth, ...
I love how every character gets their own story arc, their own background and views instead of being carbon copies of each other (I need to state this explicitly because I'm heartily sick of reading books where "minor" characters are only generic enablers to the mail characters).
I won't go into detail about storyline and plot points because I'm a real mess about spoilers (read: can't stand them). But if you want to rant about the book with someone, I'm available :)
To sum it up: This book is enjoyable, greatly recommended, and I'm feverishly looking forward to part II.
I love how every character gets their own story arc, their own background and views instead of being carbon copies of each other (I need to state this explicitly because I'm heartily sick of reading books where "minor" characters are only generic enablers to the mail characters).
I won't go into detail about storyline and plot points because I'm a real mess about spoilers (read: can't stand them). But if you want to rant about the book with someone, I'm available :)
To sum it up: This book is enjoyable, greatly recommended, and I'm feverishly looking forward to part II.
December 26, 2020
A cross of a military/spy thriller and science fiction/magical realism, this book brings the characters to life and makes you care what happens. I suspect the creation of some of these characters come from The Clone Wars, but they and their story are so much more. I hope someday that the other two books will be published.
February 17, 2021
Believably complex characterization. Tender, messy, real relationships (and not just the romantic ones). Diversity galore. Wonderful blending of genres. Do you have a thing for competence? These characters will feed that need! The way Keene writes about people makes me feel deeply seen. I laughed. I wept. I instantly wanted to reread.
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